Transfering Status

There are several options to choose from if you are no longer going to actively practice law in Oregon. All voluntary transfers of status are eligible for reinstatement. The reinstatement process for all status changes is the same. Bar fees are not prorated or refunded; be mindful of this fact when transferring status midyear.

If you think you will need to be active within the same calendar year, switching status is generally not recommended as it will cost you money and time. If you think you will be away from the practice of law in Oregon for longer than one year you should explore the options below.

How do I transfer to inactive status?

Annual membership fees are $125 and there are no MCLE, IOLTA or PLF obligations associated with this status. You will receive the bar Bulletin. There are no additional fees associated with this transfer and you can request a specific effective date. There is a space on the form for you to let us know where your client files will be retained, which is for informational purposes as we receive frequent phone calls from clients looking for files. Inactive members do not receive access to Fastcase but can subscribe for a fee by contacting the bar’s accounting department, extension 302. Completed transfer forms and payment must be received by January 31 to complete your status change. If forms or payment are received after January 31, regular active bar fees will apply. Please note that completing the Professional Liability Exemption form DOES NOT transfer your status to inactive.

How do I transfer to active pro bono status?

Annual membership fees are $125 and there are no MCLE or IOLTA obligations associated with this status. You will receive the bar Bulletin. There are no additional fees associated with this transfer. There are no obligations to complete a certain number of pro bono hours with this status. As an active pro bono member, you may practice law with one of the Bar approved organizations. Simply fill out the form and return it with the $125 bar fees. The deadline to transfer to active pro bono status prior to paying bar fees is January 31 (form must be accompanied by $125).

How do I resign?

Resignation Form A: If you resign no future membership fees will be collected. This status is not permanent so if you decide to return to the active practice of law you may be able to reinstate your membership. You will retain your bar number. The resignation forms are approved by the Oregon Supreme Court. You may not resign Form A if you have a complaint pending with the Client Assistance Office or Disciplinary Counsel’s office. A member who resigns after January 31, and before the final May 2 deadline, will not be suspended for non-payment but any unpaid fees will remain owing and will be collected if the member should seek reinstatement at a later date.

Reinstating

Will I have to take the bar exam again?

If you transferred voluntarily and were in good standing at the time the chances are very slim.

If you have been away from the active practice of law for less than five years, retaking the bar exam is not even a possibility written into the rule. It is not uncommon, however, for the bar’s board of governors or executive director to request that a member complete CLE credits prior to reinstatement if the member has been away from the practice of law for a number of years.

Which form do I need to fill out to become active again?

If you have been away from the active practice of law in Oregon for less than five years (measured from the effective date of your status transfer), you will need to complete a BR 8.2 reinstatement application.

The 8.2 reinstatement application must be notarized and submitted with a $250 reinstatement fee. You do not need to include a fingerprint card but we will ask for your social security number on the application. The reinstatement process rarely takes longer than two months.

The reinstatement application must be notarized and submitted with a $500 reinstatement fee and a release form including your social security number. The Oregon Supreme Court must approve all 8.1 reinstatement applications, which means the process generally takes two or three months. In addition, the OSB executive director may recommend the application be reviewed by the Board of Governors before submission to the court, which increases the processing time.

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is it to reinstate?

It isn’t difficult at all. The applications are between 3-5 pages and cost $250-500. After you return the completed form with the money, you just sit back and wait. We will contact you just before the application is finalized to collect the balance of the active bar fees for the year. That’s it!

What are the ramifications of transferring to inactive status or resigning?

There are none, really. The status changes mentioned on this page are all voluntary, done in good standing.

I have some ethics questions I’d like answered. Who should I talk to?

I have further regulatory questions that aren’t answered here. Who can I call?

Can I transfer to inactive status after January 31?

Members may transfer to inactive status after January 31, but must pay the full active fees before the transfer will be processed. No refund of active fees is issued to a member who transfers to inactive status after January 31. The deadline to transfer your status and have it affect the membership fee rate is 5:00 p.m. on January 31.